Envelop-fastener.



No. 757,716. PATBNTED APR. 19, 1904. G. D. BARBER.

ENVELOP FASTENBR. APPLIOATION nun 1320.5, 1903.

no norm.

UNITED STATES Patented April 19, I I

PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE D. BARBER, OF WOlEtCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

ENVELOP-FASTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 757,716, dated April19, 1904.

I Application filed December 5, 1903. Serial No. 183,890. (No model.)

citizen of the United States, residing at Worcester. in the county ofWorcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Envelop- Fasteners, of which the following is aspecificatio'n.

My invention relates to an envelop-fastener for what are ordinarilytermed merchandise envelops. In this class of envelops a metallicfastener is ordinarily employed, which is secured to the body of theenvelop and is adapted to engage with an opening in the flap, to holdthe flap closed, and also detachably connect it with the body of theenvelop.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved envelop fastener ofsimple construction and preferably made of sheet metal and stamped orcutout into the desired shape.

My improved envelopfastener is preferably of flat structure, with aplurality of attaching-prongs to attach the fastener to the envelopproper and a plurality of bendable tongues to extend through an openingin the flap when it s closed and engage the flap.

My lnvention consists 1n certain novel features of construction of myenvelop-fastener,

as will'be hereinafter fully described.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows an envelop with my fastenerattached thereto and the flap open. Fig. 2 corresponds to Fig.

1, but shows the flap closed and secured by my fastener; and Fig. 3shows on an enlarged scale my fastener detached.

I have shown in the drawings the preferred form and structure of myenvelop-fastener, which is stamped or out out of thin sheet metal andcomprises the body portion 1, preferably of flat structure or surface,with a plurality of attaching-prongs 1" thereon, preferably three, whichextend out from three edges of the part 1, (one from each edge.) Theprongs 1 are bendable and, are inserted through the surface of theenvelop 2 and then bend down or'flattened toward the part 1 and againstthe inner surface of the envelop to secure the fastener thereto.

From one edge of the part 1 of the fastener and in the same planetherewith extend a plurality of tongues 1", preferably three in numher,which are bendable. The middle tongue 1" is preferably shorter than theother two tongues 1", as shown.

The flap 2 of the envelop 2 has preferably a noncircular opening 3therethrough of elongated shape. The length of the opening 3 ispreferably a little greater than the width of the three tongues 1".

The opening 3 is preferably reinforced by a strip i of paper or othersuitable material.

When the envelop is not in use, the tongues 1 lie flat upon the surfaceof the envelop, but when the flap is to be closed and secured thetongues 1 are bent and inserted through the opening 3 in the flap 2 asthe flap is closeddown on the envelop and then two of the tongues 1",preferably the outside ones, are bent one Way down upon the flap and theother tongue 1 bent the opposite Way, as shown in Fig. 2.

By means of the three tongues 1 passing through the opening 3 in theflap 2 and being bent over as described the flap is securely fastened tothe envelop and cannot become detached, except by bending up all of thetongues 1".

It will be understood that the details of construction of myenvelop-fastener may be varied, if desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. An envelop fastener comprising a flat body portion havingattaching-prongs projecting from three edges thereof, by which it issecured to the envelop, and three bendable tongues extending from oneedge opposite one of the attachingprongs,said bendable tongues being ofdifferent lengths. 2. An envelop fastener comprising a flat body portionhaving attaching-prongs projecting from the body portion at three edgesthereof, and three bendable tongues extending from one edge opposite oneof the attaching-prongs, the intermediate prong being shorter than theother two.

GEORGE D. BARBER.

\Vitnesses J. C. DEWEY, M. HAAS.

